By Andrew Gans
13 Dec 2009
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| Kate Baldwin |
Baldwin was embraced by critics for her performance as Irish lass Sharon in the current Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow at the St. James Theatre.
Her turn at Feinstein's is called Let's See What Happens and draws from her recent debut album of the same name, on the PS Classics label. The disc features songs by composer Burton Lane and lyricist E.Y. Yip Harburg — songs they wrote together and with other writers.
Rob Berman, music supervisor and conductor of Finian's Rainbow (who also music-directed Baldwin's album), is the evening's musical director and pianist. They will be joined by Steve Kenyon on woodwind, Brian Koonin on guitar, Lou Bruno on bass, Antoine Silverman on violin.
Let's See What Happens admission ranges $50.08-$71.86. Feinstein's at Loews Regency is at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street.
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Finian's Rainbow opened Oct. 29 at the St. James Theatre. Baldwin, who has regional, Broadway and concert credits, ascended to the role of Broadway leading lady with the production, earning rapturous reviews. The New York Times critic Charles Isherwood said she performs "with sophistication and sincerity" and has a "cool, pure soprano" that provides "magic" throughout the show.
Baldwin's Broadway credits include The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie (original cast) and Wonderful Town (Helen). In new York City, she appeared in Stephen Sondheim's Opening Doors at Zankel Hall; Babes in Arms, A Connecticut Yankee, Bloomer Girl and Finian's Rainbow (all by City Center Encores!). Regionally, her work has included Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Betty Haynes) in Toronto, San Francisco, and Detroit; The Women (Mary Haines) at The Old Globe; Henry V (Katharine) at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey; South Pacific (Nellie, Helen Hayes Award nomination) at Arena Stage; She Loves Me (Amalia) at Huntington Theatre Company and Williamstown Theatre Festival; A Little Night Music (Charlotte) at CenterStage; My Fair Lady (Eliza) at Sacramento Music Circus; Hello Dolly! (Irene Molloy); Miss Saigon (Ellen); Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown) at Paper Mill Playhouse; The Sound of Music (Maria); The Pajama Game (Babe), The Music Man (Marian) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Milly) at the St. Louis Muny; Passion (Clara) at Wilma Theatre; The Last Five Years (Cathy) at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; 1776 (Martha) at Ford's Theatre. Her concert work includes appearances at the Chicago Humanities Festival, with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC, with the Portland Symphony Orchestra and in New York City with Rob Fisher for The American Songbook series at Lincoln Center. In 2009, she was the solo vocalist for "A Conversation with Stephen Sondheim" at Northeastern University as well as at The Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. She appeared on TV's "Law and Order: SVU." Baldwin is a graduate of Northwestern University. Visit www.kate-baldwin.com.
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Berman (of Encores! and the current Finian's Rainbow) serves as music director for the "Let's See What Happens" album; the orchestrations are by Jason Robert Brown, Sam Davis, Joel Fram, Steve Marzullo, Joshua Rosenblum, Georgia Stitt, Joseph Thalken and Jonathan Tunick. The album also features a special appearance by Jonathan Tunick and His Broadway Moonlighters.
Baldwin told Playbill.com in June, "I had the extraordinary good fortune to star in Finian's Rainbow this spring [in the Encores! concert series] and fell in love with Burton Lane and Yip Harburg all over again. I have such a strong, personal connection to their work — I've loved Burton Lane's beautiful melodies for years and am still discovering Yip Harburg lyrics that delight me. I felt like they'd be the perfect companions as I embark on my first solo album."
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"That Something Extra Special"
Jule Styne & E.Y. Harburg (from Darling of the Day, 1968)
"How About You?"
Burton Lane & Ralph Freed (from "Babes on Broadway," 1941)
"Moments Like This"
Burton Lane & Frank Loesser (from "College Swing," 1938)
"Come Back to Me"
Burton Lane & Alan Jay Lerner
(from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, 1965)
"Here's to Your Illusions"
Sammy Fain & E.Y. Harburg (from Flahooley, 1951)
"Have Feet, Will Dance"
Burton Lane & Dorothy Fields (from the TV musical "Junior Miss," 1957)
"How Are Things in Glocca Morra?"
Burton Lane & E.Y. Harburg
(from Finian's Rainbow, 1947)
"Poor You"
Burton Lane & E.Y. Harburg
(from "Ship Ahoy," 1942)
"Paris Is a Lonely Town"
Harold Arlen & E.Y. Harburg (from "Gay Purr-ee," 1962)
"I Like the Likes of You"
Vernon Duke & E.Y. Harburg (from Ziegfeld Follies of 1934)
"Let's See What Happens"/"Open Your Eyes"
Jule Styne & E.Y. Harburg (from Darling of the Day, 1968)/Burton Lane & Alan Jay Lerner
(from "Royal Wedding," 1951)
"Where Have I Seen Your Face Before?"
Burton Lane & E.Y. Harburg
"He Wasn't You"
Burton Lane & Alan Jay Lerner (from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, 1965)
"I Don't Think I'll End It All Today" Harold Arlen & E.Y. Harburg (from Jamaica, 1957)
"The World Is in My Arms"
Burton Lane & E.Y. Harburg (from Hold On to Your Hats, 1940)
The CD booklet includes liner notes by Harold Prince.
For more about PS Classics, devoted to the American songbook and the heritage of theatre music, visit PSClassics.com.









